Well-known Management Consultant and Hotel Manager
Aykut Bakay is a well-known in Turkey’s tourism and hospitality industry, recognised for his many years of experience, managerial positions and contributions to the sector. Starting his career as a receptionist and rising to the position of general manager, Bakay also plays an active role in important sector organisations such as Tourism Hotel Managers Association – TUROYD.
Education and Early Career
Graduated in 1986 from Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, Aykut Bakay has been involved in the hotel industry since the first day he started his professional life. His career began as a receptionist at the Green House Hotel in Sultanahmet, one of Turkey’s first boutique hotels, showing that he has been involved in the hospitality sector from the very beginning of his professional life.
Rising Career and General Management Positions
Over the years, Mr Bakay has increased his knowledge and experience and has held various managerial positions in Istanbul’s leading touristic facilities such as Marriott Polat Renaissance Hotel, Mavi Ev, Sultanahmet Palace, Mina Hotel and Hagia Sophia Mansions of the International Marriot hotel chain. One of the important milestones in his career was the opening of Crowne Plaza Istanbul Oryapark hotel, where he worked for five years from the opening of the Crowne Plaza Istanbul Oryapark hotel and served as the opening and General Manager at prestigious hotels such as Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul within the Curio Collection by Hilton, the upper segment brand of the International Hilton Hotel chain.
Sectoral Additions and the his newly opened company ‘Experience Academy’
Aykut Bakay has not only been limited to hotel management, but also has not remained back from sharing his knowledge and experience with the sector. As the Secretary General of the Board of Directors of Tourism Hotel Managers Association – TUROYD, he has been actively working on the problems and future of the sector.
Finally, as a solution to the need for qualified staff in the sector, he opened his own training consultancy and management company under the name of “Experience Academy”. Through this academy, he organises online and face-to-face trainings for professionals working in various departments of hotel management and transfers his experience to the new generation of tourism professionals. This initiative stands out as a testament to Bakay’s commitment to the sector and his desire to take it forward.
Currently, Aykut Bakay provides employee trainings in hotels, hotel business management, opening hotels general manager mentoring, hotel audit activities, staff trainings and sustainable and standard operations of hotel departments, hotel department trainings, hotel real estate consultancy, hotel buying and selling consultancy as a Hotel Broker.
Aykut BAKAY is a well-known figure in tourism and hotel management. He is a successful educator and manager.